Spring Break-A recap [Part 1]

Spring break is over, and it’s back to the grind for one more month.

Time really does fly when you’re having fun. We had a blast. I can’t believe it’s already over. I went with three other kids from my program (Allie, Paymon, and Kathleen). Poor Paymon was the only guy once again, and once again we spent the entire time picking on him. I don’t know why he keeps putting himself in this situation.

So here’s a run down of our itinerary for Week 1:

Berlin:

Amazing. The hostel was fantastic. Everything was clean, organized, efficient- a very welcome change coming from Nice. No dog poop. It was so green and charming. They were really friendly. We took an excellent free walking tour and got to see all of the sights. My friend Judith came to meet us in Berlin. She also brought her friend Johanna. Having real Germans there to interpret was definitely useful. 

Highlights-Walking tour, hanging out in hostel and learning German profanity. Also Blood Night (This deserves its own post.  All I can say for now is imagine Cowboys and Indians, but German death metal vampires and villagers). 

Low point- Almost getting mowed over by a biker…yeah… a cyclist. Not even a motorcycle. I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes, though. Watch out for the bike lanes!

Prague:

Picturesque. Everything looks like it came straight out of a Disney princess movie. The walking tour here was also really great. Fun fact! The Czechs invented the contact lens. They are also the largest beer consumers in the world, with an average consumption rate of 2 pints per day. Prague was the most challenging city because of a serious language barrier. We also had to deal with a currency exchange, which was a little tough. All worked out in the end though. By day 2 we were all “Czechsperts” (I’m staking my claim on this horrible pun.). We stayed in a 16 person dorm in a hostel here, and I was really surprised at how much I liked it. Despite so many people in one room, everyone was quiet and respectful. Each bed had a curtain and a reading light. We went dancing (Well, I did more of an awkward two step) at one of the biggest clubs in Europe. It was 5 levels, with each floor featuring a different kind of music. We mostly hung out in the oldies room where people were shamelessly dancing to the Grease soundtrack. There was also a light up dance floor! Since we were right there in Bohemia, absinthe was a must. It was a huge production of fire, sugar cubes, alcohol, glory, and magic. Unfortunately it tastes like crap.

Highlight- Watching the waitress prepare the absinthe.

Low point- Drinking the finished product.

Vienna:

By far the best stop. This was mostly due to the fact that Paymon’s cousin and her husband let us stay at their apartment. Not only did we have free accommodation, but we also ended up with 2 amazing tour guides. They took us to all the greatest places. We saw all the sights and spent 2 days stuffing our faces with all of the traditional Viennese specialties. So much food-so little time! We spent the first evening singing along to Beatles songs while Gergo (the husband) played his guitar. The second night they took us out to a delicious restaurant and then to a brewery.

Highlight- Everything was wonderful. I haven’t laughed that much in ages. Walking around the Habsburg Palace gardens the first afternoon was so much fun. This was our first outing with Paymon’s cousin Mahtab, who probably thought we were all crazy right off the bat.

Low point- Leaving. Also finishing my bag of Manner (delicious Viennese wafers). I have to go back!

For more pictures from my Facebook albums:
 Berlin: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10100319278245688.2728274.5738637&l=b80bfe7684
Prague: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10100319919510588.2729555.5738637&l=285212174b
Vienna: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10100320040438248.2729797.5738637&l=6ea1feeb01